Water & Wheels at Cape Harbour this weekend

February 28, 2012

"Water" stands for lots of big yachts and water activities, and "wheels" stands for plenty of classic cars.

The 6th Annual Water & Wheels at Cape Harbour event begins Friday, March 2, and runs through Sunday, March 4. Admission to the family fun event is free and open to the public.

It is a weekend full of yachts, boats and classic cars, along with live music, food, a sunset dolphin cruise and more.

Cape Harbour Event Manager Glenda Swager said it is always one of Cape Coral's premier events.

"We have a beautiful waterfront, we have beautiful yachts and many come to show and see classic cars," Swager said. "That's why we call it Water & Wheels."

She said the Harbour's former marketing manager, Laura Straus, came up with the idea six year ago and each year it becomes more and more popular.

"She just wanted to add to the water and bring it to land, too," Swager said. "We started talking to residents who have beautiful cars, and they got excited. Last year, we had more than 100 classic cars."

They will be displayed in the parking lot right across from Rumrunners restaurant in the Cape Harbour food and fun complex.

"Mercedes Benz of Fort Myers will also be joining our car show this year," she said.

If you have a classic car, registration is still going on, said Swager.

"If anyone wants to still register, they can still call 945-6116. Registration is free."

Right in the middle of the complex is what they call Expo Island, where The Joint restaurant is located, and where there will be live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

One interesting highlight among the many events planned for the weekend is a sunset dolphin cruise.

"Banana Bay Tour Company will host the dolphin cruise," she said. "The dolphins love showing off."

Galati Yacht Sales is one of the boat dealers now gearing up for the event. Most area dealers have just returned from the Miami Boat Show, and a dozen major dealers will attend.

"The event for us actually started as an opportunity for boats returning each year from the Miami Boat Show to be on displayed here on Cape Harbour," said Galati Broker Dan Howland. "Will Stout, the developer, is very generous, allowing us very easy access to the marina for all of our boats, and offering no charge to the public. It's really just a big party."

The Miami Boat show was a big success this year, Howland said.

"New boat sales are defiantly on the rise," which is a good sign for the economy, he noted.

"We're going to have five new boats, the Tiara 31 and 36 Coronet, a 43 Tiara, a 41 Cruisers Cantius and a 36 Cruisers Express," he said. "We also have several brokerage and trade-in boats."

Cape Harbour's four restaurants are also hosting the event.

Rumrunners, The Joint and Run Agrounds will offer food and drink specials throughout the weekend, along with former Caf Pignoli, which has a new owner and a new name, "Pignoli on the Harbour."

Charlotte Harbor Paddlers will present its "Draggin Dragons" on Saturday. The show includes a Dragon Boat demonstration.

"It's like a long, long canoe," Swager said. "It is an oriental boat with a dragon leading the way. That will be at Rumrunners dock from noon until 3 p.m. The show includes a Dragon Boat demonstration."

Also, the Lee County Sheriff's office will be displaying its 36-foot Ambar and The United States Customs and Border Protection Office of Air & Marine will display its 39-foot Midnight Express Interceptor.

Marine Interdiction Agent, Alan Brown, will be on board. Both crafts will be on display Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the marina next to the pavilion.

The live entertainment at Expo Island starts Friday, March 2, at 6 p.m., featuring Mike Pick. Live music continues Saturday from 6-10 p.m. with The George Lewis Project and on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. Chris Workman will be performing.